Today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II that saw 73,000 Americans join Allied forces in a daring and decisive assault on the beaches of Normandy. In recognition of this historic event, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has proclaimed June 6, 2024, as a National Day of Remembrance, urging Americans to honor the valor and sacrifice of those who fought on this momentous day.
On the evening of June 6, 1944, as war raged across Europe and Nazi forces held sway over much of the continent, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation in a solemn broadcast. He called upon the American people to pray for the brave service members embarking on what he described as “a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.” His words echoed across a nation united in the hope and determination that the Allied invasion would turn the tide of the war.
The Allied forces faced formidable defenses as they approached the French coastline. Nazi Germany had fortified the Atlantic Wall, a series of coastal defenses stretching across Western Europe. The beaches were lined with landmines, obstacles, and heavily armed bunkers. Despite these daunting challenges, 7,000 vessels carrying nearly 160,000 service members from eight Allied nations converged on Normandy. Paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines under the cover of darkness, while soldiers braved relentless gunfire, barbed wire, and steep sea walls to secure a foothold.
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The cost was high. Over 2,500 Americans gave their lives on that first day, a sacrifice made so that freedom could prevail. Their courage and determination were instrumental in the eventual liberation of Europe from the grip of fascism, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany and bringing hope to millions oppressed under its regime.
The brave service members who fought on D-Day represent the Greatest Generation in our history.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 6, 2024
Together, they stood to oppose the forces of fascism, volunteered to lay down their lives for our liberty, and answered freedom’s call at its hour of greatest need.
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In his proclamation, President Biden emphasized the enduring significance of D-Day and the debt of gratitude owed to those who served and sacrificed. “Their success marked the beginning of the end of Nazi brutality, World War II, and the Holocaust — one of the darkest chapters in human history,” he stated. “It set the foundations of an enduring peace that still helps guide international cooperation and affairs today.”
As Americans reflect on this 80th anniversary, the President reminded the nation that the freedom enjoyed today was hard-won and must be continually defended. He called on citizens to honor the legacy of the Greatest Generation by upholding the principles they fought for: freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality for all.
To commemorate this day, President Biden encouraged Americans to engage in programs, ceremonies, and activities that pay tribute to the heroes of D-Day. Across the country, communities are hosting memorial services, educational events, and exhibitions to ensure that the stories of bravery and sacrifice are passed down to future generations.
In a poignant conclusion to his proclamation, President Biden stated, “May we honor the faith they kept in our Nation and their legacy by upholding the future that they died for — one grounded in freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality for all.”
As we observe this National Day of Remembrance, we honor the memory of those who fought and died on D-Day. Their bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire us, reminding us of the profound cost of freedom and the enduring need to protect and preserve it for all humanity.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, President Biden has set his hand this fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
